We want your questions: Later this week, we’ll send out a Q&A on artificial intelligence. Let us know your thoughts and concerns — how AI could impact jobs and the economy, the recent Anthropic–Pentagon controversy, or anything else — and we’ll answer them. This is for members only, so make sure to sign up here.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
🕌 US mosques held memorials for Supreme Leader Khamenei. At least four institutions with alleged ties to Tehran publicly honored Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a "martyr" following his death from an Israeli airstrike. At one Dearborn mosque, a speaker eulogized Khamenei as the "Great Leader of Our Time" and told attendees: "This country was built by devil-worshipers; the Statue of Liberty is Lucifer."
🔫 Reports claim US is arming Kurds to fight Iran. Multiple outlets reported the CIA is working to arm Kurdish forces to foment a popular uprising against Tehran. A senior Kurdish official told CNN the plan is "fairly advanced" and ground operations could begin "in the coming days," as Kurds see a "big chance" to topple the regime weakened by devastating airstrikes.
🗳️ Senate blocked War Powers resolution restricting Trump. The GOP-led Senate rejected a war powers resolution by a 47-53 vote, giving Trump implicit authorization to continue military operations. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to vote no, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to break ranks and vote yes alongside Democrats.
🏳️⚧️ Trump admin sent new transgender guidance to all 50 states. The Department of Health and Human Services alerted every state that affirming "biological reality" does not constitute child abuse under federal law. The letter reminded states that child welfare systems depend on federal funding and warned that investigations must be "grounded in objective evidence of harm," not parental rejection of gender ideology.
WORLD NEWS
The White House and Spain argue over Iran
Behind the paywall: Azerbaijan pulled into Iran conflict, US takes out an assassination plotter, Qatar goes after sleeper cells, and London’s shocking rape statistics.
MEDIA BIAS SPOTTER
The biggest stories underreported on the left and right
Behind the paywall: Four major stories that were overlooked by both left and right news outlets.
THE MAIN STORY
The Iran strikes are strangling China
_WHAT’S HAPPENING_
The Trump administration's strikes on Iran have devastated the regime's military capacity and oil infrastructure. The broader strategic significance is what these attacks mean for America’s more prominent adversary: China.
_THE FACTS AND OUR TAKE_
China imported roughly 1.4 million barrels a day of Iranian crude in 2025 through the use of shadow fleets, much of it heavily discounted.
The fallout from the US strikes on Iran is hitting China’s energy supply — where it really hurts them.
Behind the paywall: How the Iran strikes are squeezing China’s energy needs, why Beijing’s response has been muted, and what the pushback means for the broader US-China power struggle. Plus, our thoughts on the story.
Do you think the Iran operation will significantly weaken China?
TODAY’S DEBATE
POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Should the Pentagon be given unrestricted access to private AI models?
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👍 Yes (260)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👎 No (631)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (319)
👍 Yes: “It’s important to note that the Pentagon is only allowed ‘legal’ use of technology by Congress. Why is a private company dictating terms for that use?” — Ron
👎 No: “Personal and private information should not be allowed to be bought, sold,or given away to anyone. Especially to governments.” — Dennis
🤔 Unsure: “There is a need to know about terrorists working inside the US but people do have a right to privacy.” — Kim
POP QUIZ
What would the War Powers resolution have done?
Thanks for joining us today. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media—Ariel David and Brandon Goldman.
